Taryn
The room felt smaller tonight—like the walls were closing in, like the rain outside was echoing the storm brewing between us.
Caz stood by the dresser, arms crossed, his whole body tense. I could see it in the rigid set of his jaw, the way his chest rose and fell like he was holding something back. Something heavy.
“You can’t be serious,” I said, my voice sharp. I didn’t mean to sound so angry—but I was. “You want to give Daphne back to Dane?”
He didn’t flinch. He just looked at me, eyes steady, voice too calm. “I didn’t say that.”
I scoffed. “You said it might be the only way.”
“To avoid a war we aren’t ready for, Taryn,” he snapped. “Do you think I want to hand her over to that monster? I’m trying to keep you safe.”
I took a step back like he’d hit me. “You think giving her
